Embattled Synacor hires cable vet Bhise as CEO; CenturyLink widens 1 Gbps footprint

Cable industry news from across the Web:

> Former Comcast and Charter executive Hamesh Bhise has been named CEO of the embattled TV Everywhere technology company Synacor. Story

> CenturyLink will follow deployment of its fiber-based 1 Gbps broadband service in Omaha, Neb., Salt Lake City and Las Vegas with services in "select locations" in 16 cities. Story

> Starz has launched its TV Everywhere service Starz Play on Microsoft's Xbox One console. Press release

> Verizon responded to a harsh rebuke by the FCC over the issue of throttling, noting that the access speeds of a few heavy users may be temporarily slowed at a congested cell to benefit the broader customer experience. Story.

> AMC Networks will rebrand the MGM Channel overseas as AMC, giving the AMC brand its first footprint outside of the U.S. Story

> Song identification app maker Shazam Entertainment has announced partnership deals with A+E networks, AMC, Dick Clark Productions and Fuse. Story

And finally... Danny Zappin, former CEO of Disney-owned Maker Studios, has announced the launch of a new digital media company, Zealot. Story